Hard work leads to better report

A DROITWICH school which was classed as ‘inadequate’ last year has been upgraded to ‘good’ following a recent visit by Government inspectors.

And Droitwich Spa High School headteacher Natalie Waters welcomed the news with a promise that she, her staff and students would continue the pursuit of transforming the Briar Mill school into an ‘outstanding’ school.

The school hit the headlines last November after a damning report from OfSTED inspectors who issued a warning for the school to improve the progress made by all groups of students, particularly in mathematics

But following a visit by five inspectors in late November, the school won praise in a number of areas such as the quality of teaching and the behaviour and safety of pupils.

And the school’s leadership and management was rated as ‘outstanding’ – the highest accolade available from OfSTED.

The report singled out for praise the particularly strong improvements that have been made in the Maths and science

departments but also noted that teaching across the school had improved.

Inspectors also commented on the excellent behaviour they observed around the school and how the students are polite and courteous to each other and to adults.

Mrs Waters said: “I am delighted that this report recognises the great strides forward made by Droitwich Spa High School over the past year.

“OFSTED acknowledges the contributions made by the entire school community, not least by the students themselves and their parents.

“We are all looking forward to continuing to move ahead over the coming year,” she added.

Inspectors backed the school’s bid to become an ‘Outstanding’ school and noted many projects were in place that would allow this to happen but which need more time to come to fruition.

The school was also congratulated by town MP Peter Luff who commended Mrs Waters for the dramatic improvement shown within a year.

In a letter to Mrs Waters, Mr Luff said: “I know this report will do a great deal to reassure parents of your pupils about the very high standard of teaching at your school.

“I know that the school will continue to go from strength to strength under your leadership,” he added.

Mr Luff said he felt the original report from inspectors was too harsh and the new findings were much closer to the reality he

had encountered on his many visits.

“Never the less, I know that the management team accepted that improvements were needed and this report shows sparkling success.

“This latest assessment from OfSTED is a real Christmas present to the Spa, but one that has been hard won by all the professional staff at the high school,” he added.